I like browsing the web at night reading different articles trying to improve my knowledge and I fell upon this one so sorry to drag it on.

I read the first 10 pages which say much of the same but neglect to mention/cover a few aspects.

I have been doing karate for sum 8 years and have trained for more and I have achieved my Shodan and am a resonably able person ( I train 3 times a week, from weights to bag work, makiwara etc ). Added to that I am studying engineering so I look at things in a different way perhaps.

Firstly it was hinted at but not discussed, what I speak of is where the head ( in this example ) is at when struck. If the man is standing when struck there is almost no chance of a lethal punch. Why you may ask. Because firstly there is very little resistance to oppose the force of the punch, meaning the head will move in the opposite direction when struck and this will in effect absorb a lot of the effectiveness of the blow. To counter this the impulse of the punch has to be incredibly short with respect to time to deliver the force from the punch into breaking the skull etc. and not moving it. The chances of lethality increase if the person is moving towards the punching, thus increasing the opposing force. When this scenario changes to the mans head lying on the ground, its a whole different story. Their is as much force opposing the blow as you can muster in your punch. Therefore almost all the force is driving into breaking the skull etc. This paired with a short impulse and perhaps the middle knuckle making first contact ( seeing as the middle knuckle sometimes protrudes outward more than the rest ) can created enought pressure to crack the skull and cause verious other sorts of damage. Of course the person dilivering the blow needs to have trained for many years and would have to be very strong, but albeit few, there are such people.

So there is absolutely no cause to doubt that a single punch can kill a man. Sure there are certain circumstances that would be required for such a feat but it is in no way impossible.

However, most practioners of martial arts are useless. I have met many Shodans and Nidans etc. and maybe 1 out of a 100 can actually have a hope of winning in a proper fight. Because in the end, its the mentality of the person and their personal training which makes them effective. Its the artist that makes the art not the technique he/she knows.

understood that it's "possible"...but I think the saying is misinterpreted when taken literally instead of philosophically. "One punch, one kill" is a state of mind, not a literal.

The phase comes from the samurai philosophy of commitment and intention of each attack. It was was a phrase later borrowed by Karate promoters (circa 1930's) to instill equal commitment.

Bottom line is, if someone is advertising/selling/promoting a way to kill with one strike: walk away. but if someone is warning a strike 'could' cause death in the right circumstances, then listen to them and use your judgment.

Massdanarchy wrote - However, most practioners of martial arts are useless. I have met many Shodans and Nidans etc. and maybe 1 out of a 100 can actually have a hope of winning in a proper fight. Because in the end, its the mentality of the person and their personal training which makes them effective. Its the artist that makes the art not the technique he/she knows.

Neko456 - Pending who the opponent is, I don't agree with your statement/opinion. I think we expect too much from these beginers most Shodan and Nidans on average are in better shape then the average couch potatoe or street bum. They know how to use there techiques and are in some kind of reasonable shape their timing and distance is sharpened and have some power I'd give the nod to the Shodan/Nidan or Martial artist in such a battle. Now against a seasoned street thug, or killer (they usualky prey on the weak) heads up I'd still give the odds to the martial artist, caught by surpirese the egde slips to the one that catches the other by surprised.

Now against a Pro contact fighter the average Martial artist would be at a disdvanatge intensity and training different.

Overall our training has taken us from the jaws of demises to survival. You just have to know your limitation.

One punch/shot;one kill is a Samuria or Sniper creed. In h2h its possible but not probable. Not something to bank on. Think combinations. Even snipers miss sometimes.

As a KnockDown KarateKa, I don't believe that the One Punch One Kill exists, Boxers who are proven to hit harder than most Karateka are unable to "kill" their opponent although the luckily get a Shot to the Jaw that puts their opponent down.

Now I've been hit hard and fast by many a senior Karateka and yes I've had my ribs broke but I can't see it happening.

Todays karateka tend to put too much emphasis on pulling back their punch to even warrant a killer blow.

Now if someone trains daily with a specified punch over and over and over again then there is a possibilty but not in my lifetime I don't think, unless its Frank Dux or someone similar

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A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.